VIERA, Fla. — Good morning from Space Coast Stadium, where it is officially reporting day for pitchers and catchers. This is always a bit of a misnomer, though, because all it means is that all pitchers and catchers must either a) show up at the ballpark or b) call someone with the team to inform that they will be arriving sometime soon. It's really one of the least-formal days of the spring.

Everyone takes physicals tomorrow, then first real workout will take place Sunday morning. That said, plenty of these guys who show up today will take the fields for some informal work, so hopefully we'll get a look at a few of them.

Just finished my first sweep through the clubhouse and was greeted by a handful of guys, including Jesus Flores, Drew Storen, Ron Villone, Ryan Speier, Josh Whitesell, Joel Peralta and probably a couple more that I'm forgetting at the moment.

Spent some time chatting with Flores, who is obviously looking forward to being back on the field and in uniform after missing most of last season with that shoulder injury. At the same time, he knows the worst thing he could right now is rush back too quickly, lest he Read more »

Mark,Thanks for the number update. As for our new #99, Balester is sick of having his number claimed by veterans (Cabrera and Wang took 40 from him), so my guess he he feels safe that the Nats are not going to sign Gretzky or trade for ManRam anytime soon.

Thanks for the updates, Mark. Also, I enjoyed your inaugural email with the first podcast. Thanks much for that!Going back a bit, wasn't 38 Majewski's number, and 26 Byrd's, or am I misremembering?Re. Balester as Lee, I think he's got the flakiness down, but IMO he has a ways to go to approach the Spaceman's status in other areas.

What I get a kick out of jersey-wise is fans wearing players' older jerseys – saw a lot of Cincinnati Dunn shirts last summer, and I think we will see a lot of Wang/Yankee and Pudge/various shirts this year.

I don't think Balester needs to worry too much about what number he'll wear with the Nats, because until be adds another out pitch to two he has now, his becoming a regular Major League starter is not going to happen. He needs to stop talking, bragging and promoting that God awful ugly mustache and focus on his trade. He's more a distraction than an attraction. If he was a hockey player, he'd never be able to get to work, because his head's too big. If he wants number 40, then kill the mustache and focus on improving his skills. Crying how this or that mean old veteran player took his number reeks of a spoiled child.

Kenz,A little harsh on Balestar, don't you think? Where did you hear that Balestar CRIED about anything? He just picked a number that wouldn't be taken again. And I never got the impression that he has a big head at all. He's just a cut-up, even when his pitching sorta stinks. It's just his personality and I'd be willing to bet he has no illusions that anything other than better pitching is going to get him in the bigs for good.

Anybody else have an official Nook Logan "7" Nationals shirt? I found my at Marshalls. The rest probably went to some poor nation in Asia. The great Charlie Slowes' greatest Nats call:"Now the set, here’s the pitch… Swing and a GROUNDBALL! Flagged by Borowski! He throws home, and that’s all they’ll get."… Now ROUNDING THIRD, Logan!?! WHAT IS HE DOING?"The throw to third – He’s out and the game is over!"WHAT was Nook Logan THINKING? WHAT was he WATCHING? WHERE was he GOING?"I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! He’s out, it turns out to be a double play, and the game is over!(7 seconds of silence)"THAT is shocking. Unbelievable!"

32 is Cordero's old number… I wonder if Bruney is trying to say something about the role he wants?It's a pity Storen didn't get it, though, since he had been a fan of Cordero. Plus, we all know he's going to be in the closer's role within a year…